State of Wonder by Ann Patchett, narrated by Hope Davis
Published in audio by Harper Audio, published in print by Harper Books, both imprints of HarperCollins
Synopsis:
The letter changes everything. The letter that says that Anders is dead, that his body is buried in the rainforest of Brazil. Anders was Marina’s lab partner, someone she had come to work with day in and day out for years, and now he is dead, and there is nothing left except a letter from Annick Swenson, the woman he went into the rainforest to find. Now everyone wants answers: Marina’s employer Vogel wants to know the status of the drug on which Annick is working, something she is very secretive about, and Anders’ wife Karen wants to know what happened and how he died. Somehow, it is Marina who becomes tasked with finding these answers, Marina heading down into the jungle to find Annick Swenson, her former teacher who presided over one of the worst days in Marina’s life, and Anders’ story.
Thoughts on the story:
Here’s the part where I admit to you that I’ve never read Ann Patchett before.
Go ahead, throw eggs and/or gasp in astonishment, I’ll wait.
I can see from State of Wonder why she is an author people so greatly admire. The writing is lush and full, absolutely beautiful and transporting – if you are never going to make it into the rainforest, here’s one possible substitute. Perhaps the hot, humid Chicago summer helped, but I did feel myself suddenly in the jungles of Brazil due to Patchett’s lyric descriptions and eye for detail. There were some parts of the story that seemed farfetched and too coincidental, but I was already so drawn in by the writing and Marina’s character development that they didn’t bother me, when I even noticed them.
Thoughts on the audio production:
Hope Davis did a fabulous job narrating State of Wonder. I must admit, I was initially a bit wary; her narration of the opening interactions between Marina and Anders in the lab was slightly awkward and did not bode well. However, she quickly gained her ground and sucked me straight into Patchett’s story. She was able to narrate everything from fever dreams to irate professors with equal ease and in an equally convincing way.
Overall:
Hope Davis’s narration was a perfect complement to Ann Patchett’s beautiful writing and added something extra to an already engrossing book. Recommended.
Buy this book from:
Powells: Audio/Print*
Indiebound: Audio/Print*
I’m launching a brand-new meme every Friday! I encourage you to review any audiobooks you review on Fridays and include the link here. If you have reviewed an audiobook earlier in the week, please feel free to link that review as well. Thanks to Pam for creating the button.
* These links are all affiliate links. If you buy your book here I’ll make a very small amount of money that goes towards hosting, giveaways, etc.
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Like this new meme I was missing the June celebration of audiobooks. I get to start with an amazing audio book UNFAMILIAR FISHES by Sarah Vowell that I featured on the 4th!
Pam great button.
Love the idea of an audio meme, you should cross promote with Teresa’s reading corner. She’s hosting an audio challenge this year. I will post something today (will be back).
I enjoyed this book, but it dragged for me in the middle.
I can see that, I think the audio had good enough production value that it continued to carry what might have been a few slow sections in print.
Never read Ann Patchett??? I’m glad you liked this, and know I’ll get to it soon. My favorite Patchett novel is The Magician’s Assistant.
Will try to get an audio review written and join in next week.
I know! I’ll have to read some of her backlist soon.
I have the book sitting on my shelf waiting to be read, but now I wish I had the audio. (Hello, library!) I didn’t realize Hope Davis did audio, but I’ve always been impressed with her as an actress so I can see how she does a good job.
This sounds totally fabulous. I’m not a big audio book fan but I do love reading about others’ journeys wirth them!
I’ve never read her either (although Bel Canto has been on my list FOREVER). I agree with you, audios do tend to carry draggy sections better than in print. I’m going to see if my library has this, but I’m thinking they will. I had two audios to add this week.
I really want to read this book. It seems great
I have never read her before either… I have books by her on my TBR pile and they sound good, but then they just sit there.
Thanks Jen for your new meme. My link is actually also to Ann Patchett, and in this post I review both Bel Canto (audiobook) and State of Wonder! (hardcopy)I agree, what a beautiful writing!
Emma @ Words And Peace
I haven’t read Pachett before if that helps
State of Wonder was my first Patchett read too, and I quite enjoyed it.
I’m still blown away by this one though I’m still thinking about what could have/should have been for Marina. The end made me a bit sad and hopeful at the same time.
This just came in at the library for me on audio! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I posted about another one Hope Davis narrates (Jennifer Donnelly’s A Northern Light) today. I didn’t link it here as you as for posts from earlier in the week but will try to remember to link it next Friday.
I really enjoyed the novel, but I had a big problem with Marina’s character. She was kind of a blank slate at best.
My thoughts are here: http://theoncominghope.blogspot.com/2011/07/state-of-wonder.html
I need to listen to this one!